Spirit of federalism centre state relationships and intergovernmental mechanisms. - Question Bank

1. Which of the following is a primary tool for the Centre to influence State policies without directly encroaching on State powers?
A) Imposing President's Rule
B) Withholding funds
C) Issuing directives under specific constitutional articles
D) Direct administration of state subjects
2. The Finance Commission's recommendations on grants-in-aid to States are:
A) Binding on the President
B) Advisory in nature
C) Subject to parliamentary approval only
D) Decided by the Prime Minister
3. The spirit of federalism in India is characterized by:
A) A clear demarcation of powers without overlap
B) A strong emphasis on the supremacy of the Centre
C) A dynamic interplay and cooperation between the Union and the States
D) A system where states operate independently of the centre
4. Which of the following institutions is NOT a part of the intergovernmental mechanisms for Centre-State relations?
A) Inter-State Council
B) National Development Council
C) Supreme Court of India
D) Finance Commission
5. The National Capital Territory of Delhi has a unique status with its own Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers, but certain powers are retained by the Central Government. This illustrates:
A) A fully federal model
B) A unitary model
C) A sui generis federal arrangement
D) A confederation
6. Which Article empowers the Parliament to legislate on matters in the Concurrent List even if there is an inconsistency with State laws, provided the Presidential assent is obtained?
A) Article 254
B) Article 255
C) Article 256
D) Article 257
7. The Sarkaria Commission recommended that the Centre should consult the States before enacting laws on subjects in the Concurrent List. This highlights the principle of:
A) Central dominance
B) State autonomy
C) Cooperative federalism
D) Competitive federalism
8. Which part of the Constitution deals with the administrative relations between the Union and the States?
A) Part XI
B) Part XII
C) Part XIII
D) Part XIV
9. The concept of 'Asymmetrical Federalism' in India refers to:
A) Uniform powers for all states
B) Special provisions and varying degrees of autonomy for certain states
C) A rigid division of powers
D) A unitary system with federal features
10. Which of the following is a critique often leveled against the functioning of the Inter-State Council?
A) It meets too frequently
B) It has significant executive powers
C) It is more of an advisory body with limited enforcement power
D) It is dominated by State governments
11. The role of the Governor in summoning and dissolving the State Legislative Assembly is often a point of friction in Centre-State relations. This power is derived from:
A) Article 163 and 164
B) Article 174
C) Article 167
D) Article 168
12. Which Article states that the executive power of every State shall be so exercised as to ensure compliance with the laws made by Parliament and any existing laws applicable in that State?
A) Article 256
B) Article 257
C) Article 258
D) Article 259
13. The establishment of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is an example of a successful intergovernmental mechanism for:
A) Dispute resolution
B) Fiscal coordination
C) Administrative coordination
D) Legislative coordination
14. Which of the following is a mechanism to ensure accountability of the Union government to the States in financial matters?
A) The Comptroller and Auditor General of India
B) The Finance Commission
C) The Planning Commission
D) The Inter-State Council
15. The term 'federalism' is not explicitly defined in the Indian Constitution. Its interpretation has evolved through:
A) Judicial pronouncements
B) Constitutional amendments
C) Inter-governmental agreements
D) All of the above
16. Which Article empowers Parliament to create new states or alter the boundaries of existing states?
A) Article 2
B) Article 3
C) Article 4
D) Article 5
17. The 'All India Services' like the IAS and IPS are an example of shared administrative control, reflecting:
A) A unitary feature
B) A federal feature
C) A concurrent feature
D) A quasi-federal feature
18. Which of the following is a key aspect of 'Competitive Federalism' as practiced in India?
A) States competing for resources and investments
B) States collaborating on national projects
C) Centre dictating policies to states
D) States forming blocs against the Centre
19. The President's power to dismiss a State government under Article 356 is often viewed as a potential threat to federal principles. What is this power commonly known as?
A) President's Rule
B) Governor's Rule
C) State Emergency
D) Central Rule
20. Which of the following is a constitutional body responsible for resolving disputes regarding the use, distribution, and control of waters of inter-state rivers?
A) Inter-State Council
B) Zonal Councils
C) River Boards
D) Tribunals under Article 262
21. The 'Zonal Councils' were established under which Act to promote inter-state cooperation in specific regions?
A) The Constitution of India
B) The States Reorganisation Act, 1956
C) The Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956
D) The Government of India Act, 1935
22. Which of the following is a unique feature of Indian federalism compared to classical federalism?
A) Dual government
B) Division of powers
C) Supremacy of a written constitution
D) Strong Centre with features of a unitary system
23. The National Development Council (NDC) was replaced by which body in 2015 to foster a bottom-up approach to policy-making?
A) NITI Aayog
B) National Planning Board
C) Economic Advisory Council
D) Federal Relations Committee
24. Which Supreme Court case significantly interpreted the federal provisions of the Indian Constitution, emphasizing the balance of power?
A) Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
B) Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India
C) S.R. Bommai v. Union of India
D) Indra Sawhney v. Union of India
25. The 'spirit of federalism' in India is often described as:
A) A rigid division of powers
B) A unitary system with some federal features
C) A cooperative and competitive relationship between Union and States
D) A system where States have supremacy
26. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism for intergovernmental fiscal relations in India?
A) Grants-in-aid
B) Sharing of taxes
C) Borrowing by States without Centre's consent
D) Statutory allocation of funds
27. The Finance Commission, established under Article 280, primarily recommends:
A) The distribution between the Union and States of the net proceeds of taxes
B) The allocation of grants-in-aid to States
C) Measures to augment the consolidated fund of a State
D) All of the above
28. Which Article deals with the provisions relating to the establishment of an Inter-State Council?
A) Article 262
B) Article 263
C) Article 264
D) Article 265
29. The Centre can give directions to the States with respect to certain matters specified in Article 257. These directions must be complied with by the States. Which of the following is NOT a typical subject for such directions?
A) Construction and maintenance of means of communication declared to be of national or military importance
B) Protection of railways within the State
C) Measures for the protection of wild animals
D) The acquisition, holding and disposal of property by the Union
30. Which Article mandates that every State shall so exercise its executive power as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive power of the Union?
A) Article 256
B) Article 257
C) Article 258
D) Article 259
31. The concept of 'Cooperative Federalism' in India emphasizes:
A) Unilateral decision-making by the Centre
B) Dominance of States over the Centre
C) Mutual cooperation and coordination between Union and States
D) Complete financial autonomy for States
32. Which institution plays a crucial role in coordinating the economic and social planning between the Union and the States?
A) NITI Aayog
B) Planning Commission (erstwhile)
C) National Development Council
D) Finance Commission
33. Article 262 of the Constitution provides for the adjudication of disputes relating to:
A) Inter-state rivers and river valleys
B) Inter-state trade and commerce
C) Inter-state border disputes
D) Inter-state water disputes
34. Which constitutional provision allows the President to entrust the functions of the Union to a State government?
A) Article 258
B) Article 259
C) Article 260
D) Article 261
35. The Governor acts as the 'agent' of the President in the state. This role is particularly significant in which context?
A) State legislative matters
B) State financial matters
C) State administrative matters
D) All of the above
36. Which Article of the Constitution provides for the appointment of a Governor for each state?
A) Article 153
B) Article 154
C) Article 155
D) Article 156
37. The Punchhi Commission (2007) was established to look into contemporary issues related to Centre-State relations. What was a key concern addressed by this commission?
A) Economic liberalization
B) Role of Governor
C) Disinvestment policies
D) Environmental regulations
38. Which of the following recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission was NOT implemented by the government?
A) Establishment of the Inter-State Council
B) Strengthening of the All-India Services
C) Granting more financial autonomy to states
D) Setting up a National Economic Development Council
39. The Sarkaria Commission (1983) was set up to review the working of the existing arrangements between the Union and States. What was its main focus?
A) Economic reforms
B) Centre-State relations
C) Foreign policy
D) Judicial appointments
40. Which constitutional body was established to promote cooperation and coordination between the Union and State governments?
A) Planning Commission
B) National Development Council
C) Inter-State Council
D) Finance Commission
41. What is the term used to describe the residuary powers of legislation in India, which are not covered by any of the three lists?
A) State Residuary Powers
B) Concurrent Residuary Powers
C) Union Residuary Powers
D) Parliamentary Residuary Powers
42. Which Article allows Parliament to legislate for two or more States by agreement?
A) Article 249
B) Article 250
C) Article 251
D) Article 252
43. During a Proclamation of Emergency under Article 352, Parliament can legislate on any subject in the State List. This is provided under which Article?
A) Article 249
B) Article 250
C) Article 251
D) Article 252
44. Which Article empowers Parliament to legislate on any matter in the State List in the national interest?
A) Article 249
B) Article 250
C) Article 251
D) Article 252
45. Who is generally considered the 'architect' of the Indian federal system, emphasizing cooperative federalism?
A) B.R. Ambedkar
B) Jawaharlal Nehru
C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
D) K.M. Munshi
46. Education, forests, and marriage are subjects that fall under which list, allowing both Parliament and State Legislatures to make laws?
A) Union List
B) State List
C) Concurrent List
D) Residuary List
47. Subjects like public order, police, and local government are primarily dealt with by which list in the Indian Constitution?
A) Union List
B) State List
C) Concurrent List
D) Residuary List
48. Which list contains subjects of national importance on which the Union Parliament has exclusive power to legislate?
A) State List
B) Concurrent List
C) Union List
D) Residuary List
49. The Union List, State List, and Concurrent List are enumerated in which Schedule of the Indian Constitution?
A) Fifth Schedule
B) Sixth Schedule
C) Seventh Schedule
D) Eighth Schedule
50. Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States?
A) Article 245
B) Article 246
C) Article 247
D) Article 248
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